Leaders in the clubhouse

Alyssa Murray, Syracuse, Sr., A

There isn't much that the Syracuse senior and Lacrosse
Magazine preseason #LaxPOY choice Murray doesn't bring to her
team, which stands at 5-0 after Wednesday's close win over Boston
College. A finalist for the Tewaaraton a year ago after scoring 104
points as a junior for the NCAA semifinalists, Murray has 24 points
in five games so far this spring. Her biggest threat may be
teammate Kayla Treanor, but we'll get to her a little further down
the post.

Taylor Cummings, Maryland, So., M

The Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman
last spring, Cummings brings blazing speed to the midfield for the
Terrapins who figure to be hungry after last year's triple-overtime
loss to North Carolina in the NCAA final. As Clare Lochary pointed
out in the fall look at Tewaaraton candidates, her status as a
do-everything midfielder could help her case against the glut of
attackers that make up this year's marquee (at least thus far).
Leading the Terrapins in both goals (16) and assists (7) through
five games doesn't hurt her stature at this point either.

Shannon Gilroy, Florida, Jr. A

With a ton of graduation losses, Florida needed Gilroy to step
up in 2014, and so far she has answered the bell with gusto,
potting 24 goals and four assists in five games, a cool average of
5.6, while also leading the team with 31 draw controls, more than
double her closest teammate. While Florida has dominated in its
four wins (averaging just shy of 20 goals in wins over
Jacksonville, High Point, James Madison and Cincinnati), Gilroy was
just as effective in the 20-8 loss against North Carolina, scoring
four and assisting another to play a role in all but three scores
on the day.

Abbey Friend, North Carolina, Sr., A

If the graduation of Tewaaraton finalist Kara Cannizzaro wasn't
going to put enough of the offensive responsibility on Friend this
spring, the loss of midfielder Brittney Coppa in January to an ACL
injury threw another log on that proverbial fire. So far, Friend
has been more than up to the task with a team-leading 19 goals and
five assists in four games, scoring on nearly 70 percent of her
shots. The immediate impact of freshman linemate Sydney Holman (11
goals, 11 assists) has also helped ease the burden, but the senior
has been the straw that stirs the drink for Jenny Levy's team so
far.

Barb Sullivan, Notre Dame, Jr., D

For all the headlines that touted freshman Cortney Fortunato has
(and probably will) generate, the Irish will most likely go as far
as Sullivan can lead them in their first ACC season. So far,
Sullivan is tied with Fortunato for the team lead with six draw
controls in two games after setting a team record with 67 last
spring. If she can combine her skills as a lockdown defender (34
caused turnovers last year) and Notre Dame makes noise in the
ultra-tough ACC, Sullivan could be an invitee to the final
table.

Right on the cusp

Kayla Treanor, Syracuse, So., A

The only reason she's not on the presumptive finalist rundown
above is that she's got a senior teammate 'ahead' of her. Will it
matter if she keeps the blazing pace she's put down thus far this
spring, leading the Orange in both goals (18) and assists (14)?

Kelsey Duryea, Duke, So., G

Goalies — particularly in the women's game — have
never drawn a ton of headlines, but Duryea was a second-team
All-American a year ago and stopped a stellar 50.7 percent of shots
she saw as a freshman. She's a hair behind that pace so far at 48.4
percent through four games for the 3-1 Blue Devils, but don't be
surprised if she heats up as the temperatures do.

Covie Stanwick, Boston College, Jr. A

Yes, she's a Stanwick, and that name is as synonymous with
Tewaaraton as any other, with brother Steele winning the men's 2011
award, but this is about her game, not her family. Stanwick leads
the Eagles, who have started strong at 3-1 with a win over Notre
Dame and a close loss against No. 3 Syracuse, with 17 points on
nine goals and eight assists. Teammate Mikaela Rix (13 goals, three
assists) is also right there in the running.

Marlee Paton, Loyola, Sr. A/M

Ten points (five goals, five assists) in two wins to start the
season for Loyola against Virginia and Princeton is a good case to
make for the Australian National Team member. But the fact that the
Greyhounds scored ten goals below their season average in the game
she missed on Wednesday against Johns Hopkins is a better one.

The small-college dark horse

Jackie Sileo, LIU Post, Sr. A

Every year, a handful of small college players make the cut, but
thus far none have made it all the way to the finals, let alone won
the whole thing. Sileo has been a monster for the Pioneers on Long
Island and could set some records that will be difficult to catch.
Maybe that will vault her into that final five if she keeps the
pace her senior year.

Also keep an eye on...

Any of these players could easily be in the Top 10 right
now and could be finalists. (Sorted in alphabetical
order)